YOUTH IN REVOLT?

In two years, Detroit will look nothing like it does now. The changes have already begun, and if you live here, you should have a say.

This was what was written about all over Detroit with the announcement from Mayor Dave Bing that the city council would begin to strategize over the next while what the plan is going to be to rework the current city infrastructure and essentially devise a whole new urban map for the city. Here's what he said"   "Such a plan would be revolutionary for a large, urban metropolis. Creating swaths of green space or farmland would mean less infrastructure to maintain, fewer streets to patrol and less garbage to pick up."

Here's more from what came out of the announcements: There also is no better moment than now to take a look at what Detroit is: The city's median household income is about $37,000; only 14.7% have bachelor's and higher college degrees. Sixty-one percent of its households are families, but one in five is headed by a single mother. And here are two kickers, one a surprise, one not: A quarter of the city is unemployed -- that we knew -- but only 11% of city residents are 65 and older. So we've got plenty of strong young people to work a city that, even divided, has plenty of jewels.

Read more: Rochelle Riley: Detroiters must join conversation on city's future | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100822/COL10/8220658/1003/NEWS01/Detroiters-must-decide-citys-future#ixzz0xOhshr7k

REVERSE FRONTIER?

Out of destruction comes renewal and out of fire comes rebirth. That has been a tenant that city boosters and politicians have long championed as the key to the city's future. However things have remained in a state of (worsening) decline over the decade. Detroit can't rebuild and then sustain itself unless there is an influx of new people and more importantly, new ideas.

This it seems is in fact possible. Terrifying to most and insane to others, the idea of actually "moving" to Detroit is something that most people would never contemplate. Especially those locked into a middle class lifestyle. However for people who have no serious roots, no overburdened lifestyle and a keen sense of curiosity, ingenuity and adventure, Detroit offers a true, inexpensive and potentially lucrative urban opportunity.

"A guy like Kevin Putalik can arrive alone from Montana with an interest in urban agriculture — a booming part of life in Detroit, where grocery stores are scarce —“I moved here blindly,” Mr. Merkel said. “I was an artist in Portland and I became more interested in food. I decided that when I moved here I would be a butcher. Within the first two weeks we had a charcuterie club.” People move to Detroit, he said, “because they have a sense of purpose.”

Much like the frontier days of people moving west for opportunity and a new life, there are people who have moved to Detroit despite the blight and violence and decay. They see this as "potential" rather than a detriment. However, as a recent NY Times article suggested:  “You can’t change a city of 800,000 with 200 people,” said Phil Cooley, an owner of the popular Slows Bar BQ in Detroit. “There’s so much work to do.” .......That includes diversifying: a largely white creative class stands out in a largely black city; integration remains rare. Some worried about the image of the city. “People think it’s a blank canvas; it’s not,” said Corine Vermeulen, 33, a Dutch artist who has documented Detroit’s community farms.